OSMUND A. 



43 



O. r. palustris— pal-us'-tris (marsh-loving), Sturm. 



This diminutive form of the Eoyal Fern is of an evergreen nature, 

 and, though quite hardy in ordinary seasons, succeeds best under greenhouse 

 treatment. It is a native of Brazil, and possesses some very useful decorative 

 qualities. The slender . and elegant fronds are abundantly produced from 

 a woody rootstock ; they are upright or slightly arching and bipinnate (twice 

 divided to the midrib), with oblong leafits generally entire, except the 

 terminal one, which is larger than the others and frequently lobed (see 

 Fig. 15 and Coloured Plate). The stalks are of about the same length as 

 the leafy portion of the fronds, of a bright crimson, and quite smooth. On 

 first unfolding, the young fronds are of a beautiful rosy-crimson tint, which 

 is gradually replaced by a pale green colour. This variety reproduces itself 

 readily from spores, which are abundantly produced and germinate very 

 freely. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 530. 



0. spectabillS — spec-ta'-bil-is (showy). Synonymous with 0. regalis 

 gracilis. 



0. Yachellii — Va-chel'-li-i (Vachell's). This is identical with 0. javanica. 



PARAGRAMMA— Par-ag-ram'-ma. See Polypodium. 

 PATANIA— Pat-an'-i-a. See Dicksonia. 



